TECH DIVE SITES AND WRECKS - Sharm El Sheikh
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Click on the highlighted dive sites to view descriptions:
From the Emperor Divers Dive Centre in Sharm El Sheikh
Jackson Reef
Most northerly of the reefs of Tiran and the northern limit of day boats from Sharm El Sheikh. The wreck of the "Lara" lies at the northern end. One part is still on the reef while the stern is down the reef, around 70m+ deeper. There is also superb wall diving along its entire perimeter, with numerous buttresses and gullies. Sightings of sharks, turtles and other big fish are not uncommon and you will find a huge diversity of different corals and sponges as well as clouds of trigger fish, masked puffers and banner fish. At the point you may be lucky and spot a Hammerhead in summer.
Thomas Reef
Between Gordon and Woodhouse reefs, you'll find this smaller round reef with walls plunging deep and fully covered with soft coral, gorgonians and colourful fish life. It is almost possible to circumnavigate this reef in one dive. The east wall plunges dramatically to great depths with a mass of brightly coloured soft corals. At 40m is the entrance of the famous Thomas Canyon, a fantastic ridge going down to 90m. It's definitely a wonderful experience to have an upward look at the blue from the dark walls and arches of the canyon.
White Knight
The reef wall drops away to a sandy plateau at about 13m, at the center is a gully with swim throughs at 10m and 35m. The gully then ends up to a nice reef around 50m+. This sheltered site is home for trigger fish, groupers and the occasional manta.
Jackfish Alley
The white patch on the cliff is a good marker for this site, usually done as a drift dive there are some interesting caves at 45m and deeper. A small canyon could also be visited at 80m+. On the way up, while off-gassing, you find two ergs again covered with glass fish, this is a great spot for photographers. Further south is a coral garden and the sandy gulley, which gives this, sites its name. Stingrays can be found resting in the sand as well as white tip sharks.
Shark Reef
Situated right at the tip of the Sinai this site is world renowned, the two small ergs are joined by a vertical wall dropping into the abyss. You can start your dive at Shark reef and use the prevailing current to explore the wall abounding in multihued soft corals. At 30m large schools of barracuda and snappers gather in often-strong currents just off the wall, swim through the schools to the outside as silky sharks usually gather there but be careful not to lose your orientation to the wall.
Jolanda Reef
If you like wreck diving, you'll find this dive site quite interesting. Cargo and wreckage are scattered on a sandy plateau at 80m and along the wall. On the way up, during your deco stops, you'll enjoy other remains of the wreck of the 'Jolanda' complete with its cargo of toilets and baths. The whole of this area is big fish territory so keep an eye on the blue for the action with tuna, bluefish, and the occasional hammerhead.
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Dive Locations:
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